Nancy Grace Augusta Wake

Originally published in the Britannica Book of the Year.Presented as archival content.

Last Updated:

10-28-2014

Nancy Grace Augusta Wake(“The White Mouse”), (born Aug. 30, 1912, Wellington, N.Z.—died Aug. 7, 2011, London, Eng.) New Zealand-born intelligence agent who outwitted the German Gestapo for years and fought fiercely as a saboteur and spy for the French Resistance, ultimately becoming World War II’s most decorated servicewoman. Wake grew up in Australia and later worked as a journalist in France, where, after the German invasion, she joined the Resistance. She was called “the White Mouse” for her ability to escape traps, and at one time she topped the Gestapo’s most-wanted list with a 5-million-franc price on her head. Forced to flee when ... (100 of 274 words)